lukish
New member
Guys, I desperately need help.
This morning I took my Marea saloon 1.6 SX (2001, 2 previous owners, only 55k miles) to a local garage for a full service (not MOT related, MOT will be in January), as well as checking the CV and track rod end ball joints because I could hear rattling when cornering.
They called me back a couple of hours later telling me that they won't do anything until I'm back because there are so many major problems with the car, that it may not be worth paying to fix it.
Here’s the list of things that they found:
- driver side CV joint and drop link are knackered and need changing
- exhaust front pipe is cracked and must be changed (MOT failure)
- back panel sills have rusted through (boths sides, in front of the rear wheels) and needs some welding. It’s not a big hole, but the guys showed me that once you clean away the rotting metal, it is probably going to be a hole almost 2cm by 10 or 15cm.
In addition, changes which are not necessary but advised:
front brake pads and disks will need changing soon
small leak in steering rack (?)
Now, the mechanics told me doing all that will set me back approximately £1,200+ (they showed me the price of parts, and added labour at £60 an hour)!
There is no way I can pay that, not even close. I used to have more disposable income, but now with a mortgage and a small kid I just about manage to get to the end of the month.
Their suggestion is to scrap the car and get a new one, as they say it’s not worth the cost of repairing it.
I really don't know what to do. I need a car, but I cannot pay the price they quoted me just to keep the Marea. The engine is in good condition though, with about 55k miles on it, and regularly serviced afaik, so it seems a waste to scrap it.
I’ve had a quick look online and found that the PARTS would not be too expensive:
- Drop Links = about £10 for both
- CV Joints and rod track ends set (both sides): £55
- Front exhaust pipe: £50 (I remember the mechanic said this was £120!)
TOTAL parts: less than £150
As for LABOUR, what do you think?
I have read changing the CV joints, rod track ends, and drop links is not too difficult. I do not know about changing the front exhaust pipe though… Am I looking at something like £200 to do everything?
In addition, how much will be welding a plate on the two rusty bits on the sills? Is £100 realistic (going to a different mechanic of course, not the one I mentioned who seem really expensive)?
If it is, the gran total would be about £450. Which is more or less all I can spare now…
What’s your opinion? Do you think I can have that can be fixed within that budget, or am I better off just scrapping it and finding a new car?
I'm currently based in Bucks, but am willing to drive the car pretty much wherever it's needed to get the job done within that budget...
I apologise if I've put this under the wrong category - please let me know if I have.
This morning I took my Marea saloon 1.6 SX (2001, 2 previous owners, only 55k miles) to a local garage for a full service (not MOT related, MOT will be in January), as well as checking the CV and track rod end ball joints because I could hear rattling when cornering.
They called me back a couple of hours later telling me that they won't do anything until I'm back because there are so many major problems with the car, that it may not be worth paying to fix it.
Here’s the list of things that they found:
- driver side CV joint and drop link are knackered and need changing
- exhaust front pipe is cracked and must be changed (MOT failure)
- back panel sills have rusted through (boths sides, in front of the rear wheels) and needs some welding. It’s not a big hole, but the guys showed me that once you clean away the rotting metal, it is probably going to be a hole almost 2cm by 10 or 15cm.
In addition, changes which are not necessary but advised:
front brake pads and disks will need changing soon
small leak in steering rack (?)
Now, the mechanics told me doing all that will set me back approximately £1,200+ (they showed me the price of parts, and added labour at £60 an hour)!
There is no way I can pay that, not even close. I used to have more disposable income, but now with a mortgage and a small kid I just about manage to get to the end of the month.
Their suggestion is to scrap the car and get a new one, as they say it’s not worth the cost of repairing it.
I really don't know what to do. I need a car, but I cannot pay the price they quoted me just to keep the Marea. The engine is in good condition though, with about 55k miles on it, and regularly serviced afaik, so it seems a waste to scrap it.
I’ve had a quick look online and found that the PARTS would not be too expensive:
- Drop Links = about £10 for both
- CV Joints and rod track ends set (both sides): £55
- Front exhaust pipe: £50 (I remember the mechanic said this was £120!)
TOTAL parts: less than £150
As for LABOUR, what do you think?
I have read changing the CV joints, rod track ends, and drop links is not too difficult. I do not know about changing the front exhaust pipe though… Am I looking at something like £200 to do everything?
In addition, how much will be welding a plate on the two rusty bits on the sills? Is £100 realistic (going to a different mechanic of course, not the one I mentioned who seem really expensive)?
If it is, the gran total would be about £450. Which is more or less all I can spare now…
What’s your opinion? Do you think I can have that can be fixed within that budget, or am I better off just scrapping it and finding a new car?
I'm currently based in Bucks, but am willing to drive the car pretty much wherever it's needed to get the job done within that budget...
I apologise if I've put this under the wrong category - please let me know if I have.
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